Coronation Street character Julie Carp is to return to the show a decade after her last appearance.
Played by Katy Cavanagh, Julie will return to the cobbles to surprise half-sister Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) on February 21 as Cleaver leaves the ITV soap after 25 years.
Speaking about her return, Cavanagh, 51, said: “It is exciting to dust off Julie’s quirky wardrobe again and an absolute joy to step back on to the cobbles. Julie is so much fun, I’ve missed her.”
Her character first arrived in Weatherfield in 2008 after a holiday romance with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment).
The relationship did not work out, and when Julie set her sights on Eileen’s son Jason (Ryan Thomas), her mother Paula (Sharon Duce) was forced to tell her she was Eileen’s half-sister and Jason’s aunt.
After a brief fling with Eileen’s then-boyfriend Jessie Chadwick, Julie fell in love with newsagent Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) and they left the street together in 2015, but they split and Brian eventually returned to Weatherfield without her.
It comes after one of the show’s stars, Charlotte Jordan, announced she is leaving the show “to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities”.
The 29-year-old plays Daisy Midgeley in the programme and won best dramatic performance at the British Soap Awards in 2023.
Colson Smith (who plays Craig Tinker) and Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) also announced their departures earlier in the month along with Cleaver, with reports that Sue Devaney’s character Debbie Webster is to be axed.
Jordan said: “My time at Coronation Street is something I will always cherish.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.
“After a brilliant four years for Daisy on the street, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.”
Her storylines have included being involved in a multi-level marketing scheme and being stalked by Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), which ended in her and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) becoming victims of an acid attack.
A source for the show told the PA news agency: “The producers fully understand Charlotte’s desire to explore other projects – she is a talented, ambitious actress.
“She advised the show of her decision to leave last April when she started her latest contract, giving a year’s notice and plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out on screen.
“She will be on screen until early summer.”
Former Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks took over creative responsibilities for Coronation Street in April last year, and said she would “endeavour to take great care” of the show and make sure it endures.
The on-air changes come after Helen Worth, who played Gail Rodwell, left the soap on Christmas Day after 50 years, as her character decided to move to France after marrying Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson) – amid reports that budgets for Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cut.
